Fall Harvest Pasta Salad: 7 Reasons You’ll Crave It

Introduction

Fall Harvest Pasta Salad is an irresistible celebration of autumn flavors. Blending nutty grains, roasted seasonal vegetables, sweet apples, and a zesty dressing, this vibrant salad brings warmth and color to your table when cooler weather sets in. It’s not just a feast for the eyes—this salad is packed with wholesome ingredients and satisfying textures for a dish that feels as nourishing as it tastes. Whether you want a hearty lunch, a delightful side for a holiday meal, or an easy potluck favorite, this recipe will quickly become a seasonal staple.

Why You’ll Crave This Fall Harvest Pasta Salad

This pasta salad is a symphony of savory, sweet, and crunchy. Tender pasta combines with roasted butternut squash, crisp apples, tart cranberries, toasted pecans, and a punchy maple-Dijon vinaigrette. The medley of colors and flavors wraps up all the best parts of fall in every bite—it’s as satisfying for cozy weeknights as it is impressive for a festive gathering.

Seven Reasons You’ll Want This Pasta Salad All Season:

1. Perfect Balance: Roasted vegetables and apples deliver a harmonious sweet and savory combo.
2. Versatile Main or Side: Hearty enough for lunch, exciting as an accompaniment to roasted meats or vegetarian mains.
3. Texture Extravaganza: Chewy pasta, crunchy nuts, and juicy fruit keep every bite interesting.
4. Prep-Friendly: Awesome for meal prep—flavors develop beautifully after a day in the fridge.
5. Seasonal Flexibility: Customize with your favorite fall veggies and grains.
6. Crowd-Pleaser: Colorful, allergen-friendly (easy to make vegan/gluten-free), and always gets compliments at gatherings.
7. Nutritious and Satisfying: Loaded with fiber, vitamins, healthy fats, and plant-based protein.

How to Make a Flavorful Fall Harvest Pasta Salad

Roast hearty vegetables—think butternut squash or sweet potato—with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, pepper, and a touch of cinnamon. Meanwhile, cook a short pasta shape (like farfalle or fusilli) and rinse under cool water. Dice crisp apple and celery, and toss with dried cranberries and toasted pecans or walnuts for that essential autumn crunch.

The Perfect Maple-Dijon Vinaigrette

Whisk together maple syrup, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. This bold, slightly sweet dressing brings the whole salad together and gives it that unmistakable fall flair.

How to Serve Fall Harvest Pasta Salad

Serve at room temperature or chilled, garnished with extra nuts, a sprinkle of chopped parsley, and maybe a crumble of feta or goat cheese if you like. It’s beautiful on a holiday buffet or as meal prep lunches straight from the fridge.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields 6 to 8 servings. Each serving is approximately 300–350 calories, depending on added cheeses or nuts. It’s rich in fiber, vitamin A, and heart-healthy fats—perfect for fueling busy autumn days.

💡Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe to automatically generate an organized shopping list with all ingredients sorted by store section—perfect for efficient grocery trips and meal planning.

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). Toss butternut squash with olive oil, salt, pepper, and cinnamon. Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast for 20–25 minutes, until tender and golden. Let cool.
2. Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and rinse under cool water to stop cooking.
3. Whisk together all vinaigrette ingredients until smooth and set aside.
4. In a large bowl, combine roasted squash, cooked pasta, apple, celery, cranberries, and pecans.
5. Pour vinaigrette over the salad and toss gently to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
6. Top with optional feta/goat cheese and parsley, if desired. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate up to 3 days.

Weekly Meal Planning

Fall Harvest Pasta Salad is ideal for make-ahead lunches or dinner sides throughout the week. Save and schedule this recipe to efficiently plan which days you’ll enjoy it and create a smart shopping list that consolidates ingredients from all your planned meals.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically totals all ingredients needed—even for multiple recipes
• Organizes your grocery list by store department for faster, easier trips
• Reduces food waste and duplicate purchases
• Simplifies meal prep so you can spend more time enjoying autumn meals

Pro tip: When you schedule recipes in CookifyAI, you’ll see how ingredient amounts overlap so you never buy more than necessary.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes